Archive for month: March, 2017

The book, “The Acts of the Apostles,” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke around 85 to 90 CE.

Today’s reading presents the second half of Peter’s long speech after the Pentecost Event, and reflects the theology of the community from which Luke-Acts came. In Luke and Acts, everything that happens is said to be guided by the Holy Spirit and is part of “God’s Plan.” Peter’s speech says “God’s Plan” included the handing over of Jesus to the Israelites (v. 23), the crucifixion by the Israelites of Jesus “by the hands of those outside the law” (i.e. Gentiles, Romans), and the “impossibility” (v. 24) that death could hold Jesus in its power. The balance of the speech states that Jesus descended from King David whose line was promised by God to endure forever (2 Sam. 7:13).

To put the harsh words against the Israelites in context, it is important to remember that after the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, the only two surviving sects in Judaism were the Pharisees and the Jesus Followers (not called “Christians” until 85 or so). The other sects (Sadducees, Zealots, Herodians, Essenes) became irrelevant or were killed by the Romans. For example, the Sadducees (priests) disappeared because there was no Temple for animal sacrifice.

For the next 30+ years, the Jesus Followers and the Pharisees contended for control of Judaism. Matthew, Luke-Acts and John were written during this time. Around 100 CE, there was a “parting of the ways” – the Jesus Follower Movement evolved into Christianity and the Pharisaical Movement evolved into Rabbinic Judaism. In the post-70 Gospels (and Acts), there is harsh language against Israelites, Judeans/Jews, and Pharisees (but hardly any against the ruling Romans who crucified Jesus as an insurrectionist). Unfortunately, the historical controversies that led to the harsh words in the post-70 Gospels (and Acts) is often forgotten.

1 Peter 1:3-9

The First Letter of Peter was likely written in the last quarter of the First Century, long after Peter’s death. It was written in sophisticated Greek and resembles the form of Paul’s letters. Its focus is not on the earthly life of Jesus of Nazareth, but on the Resurrection and the affirmation that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.

In today’s reading, the author notes that Jesus Followers “had to suffer various trials” (v. 6), not so much from overt governmental persecution, but because the Jesus Follower Movement was a minority sect within Judaism, particularly after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.

The author also expects that God will send the Christ soon because “salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time” (v.5) and “your faith …will result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (v. 7).

The book called “The Acts of the Apostles” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke. The first 15 chapters of Acts are a didactic “history” of the early Jesus Follower Movement starting with an account of the Ascension of Jesus and ending (in Chapter 15) at the so-called Council of Jerusalem in 49 CE. According to Acts, at the Council, it was agreed by the elders of the Jesus Follower Movement that Gentiles did not have to be circumcised or keep all the kosher dietary laws in order to become Jesus Followers.

Today’s reading is a synopsis of the entire Gospel According to Luke, and is delivered by Peter when he is asked to baptize the Roman centurion, Cornelius. In the verses that follow today’s reading, Peter notes that Cornelius had received the Holy Spirit. He therefore baptized him, even though he was a Gentile. At the Council of Jerusalem, the Baptism of Cornelius was referred to by Peter as a reason for permitting Gentiles to become Jesus Followers (15:7-8).

Jeremiah 31:1-6

After the righteous King Josiah was killed in battle in 609 BCE, the fortunes of Judea took a sharp downward turn. Babylon threatened Judea’s existence, and Judea had a series of hapless kings from 609 until Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The Babylonians deported some Judean leaders in 597 and a larger number of them in 586 (the beginning of the Babylonian Exile). Jeremiah’s prophesy (i.e. speaking for Yahweh) began around 609 and continued until 586 BCE when he died in Egypt.

In today’s reading, the prophet speaks for YHWH to say that all the families of Israel (the 12 Tribes) will be restored, just as the Israelites were restored in the Exodus. They will again take their tambourines (v.4), just as Miriam (Moses’ sister) and the women used tambourines to celebrate passing through the Sea of Reeds (Ex. 15:20).

Colossians 3:1-4

Colossae was a town in what is now western Turkey. A Jesus Follower community was founded there by Paul’s associate, Epaphras (1:7). The letter is short and expresses concern about practices that were inconsistent with Paul’s understanding of being a Jesus Follower. Scholars debate whether it was written by Paul or his disciples in the decade after Paul’s death in 63 CE.

In today’s reading, the author expresses an eschatological vision – not the end of the world, but an end of the world as the Colossians knew it. He urges the Colossians, as persons who have already “been raised with Christ,” to focus on heavenly matters rather than earthly concerns. The statement “for you have died” (v.3) is a reference back to “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe” (2:20) – you are no longer limited by the four primal elements.

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

Just before today’s reading, the prophet told the Judeans that YHWH has not broken the promises made to them, but their sin is the cause of their suffering and the Exile. The prophet asserts that he is YHWH’s agent to teach (v.4) the Judeans to pursue righteousness. He (sometimes understood as Judea) describes his suffering at the hands of the Babylonians, but because YHWH helps him, he has not been disgraced and will be vindicated (v.7).

Philippians 2:5-11

Philippi was a major city in Macedonia on the Roman road to Byzantium (Istanbul) and most of its inhabitants were Roman citizens. Paul has a deep affection for the Jesus Followers in Philippi, and thanks them for gifts sent to him in prison (4:18).

Today’s reading is derived from a hymn that was already in use in Jesus Follower communities, perhaps in a Baptism liturgy. Its statements are not only religious, they are also political. The Roman Caesars claimed to be “in the form of God” and (as rulers) to be the “Lord.”

By contrast, instead of exploiting his connectedness to God, Jesus took the form of a slave/servant and emptied himself (poured himself out) for others. For this, he has been highly exalted (resurrected). As the Christ/Messiah, he is also called “Lord” and at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend.

Ezekiel is one of the three “Major” Prophets – so called because of the length of the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a priest who was among the first group of persons deported by the Babylonians when they captured Jerusalem in 597 BCE.

The Book of Ezekiel is in three parts: (1) Chapters 1 to 24 are prophesies of doom against Jerusalem before the destruction of the Temple in 586 BCE; (2) Chapters 25 to 32 are prophesies against foreign nations; and (3) Chapters 33 to 48 are prophesies of hope for the Judeans written during the Babylonian Exile (586-539 BCE).

Today’s reading is the “Valley of the Dry Bones” in which Ezekiel is called by YHWH to “prophesy” (speak for God) to the bones (which is a metaphor for the Judeans). Just as YHWH gave life to the “adam” (the earthling made from fertile earth in Genesis) by putting breath/spirit/life in him, the LORD says breath will be put in the dry bones (v. 5) and sinews will bind the bones together (v. 6). After this happens, breath/wind/life comes to those slain (v. 9) and a multitude stood on its feet. The “multitude” continues the metaphor of the people of Judea who will be restored to Jerusalem.

Romans 8:6-11

Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.

In today’s reading, Paul contrasts (a) flesh and sin with (b) the Spirit, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. “Flesh” is a shorthand word Paul uses for the values of the world: selfishness, self-centeredness and the desire for power and wealth. It is contrary to “righteousness” – being in right relationships with God, with others and with the world. “Flesh” is not intended as a substitute for physical sins such as lust. Similarly, “sin” as used by Paul is best understood as “sinfulness” or living according to the inclinations of the “flesh” – all of which will lead to the “death” (v. 6) of an unfulfilled life that is not in right relation with God.

The Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ bring life and peace (v. 6) – a peace that passes all understanding – and a life of righteousness (v.10).

The Book of Samuel is part of the “Deuteronomic History” that includes the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books emphasize that God controls history, and when the people (and their kings) worship Yahweh properly, good things happen to them. When they worship false gods, however, bad events overtake them.

In Chapter 15, YHWH (through Samuel) directs Saul, the first king of a united Israel, to attack the Amalekites and kill every person and animal. Saul obeys, but brings back the King of the Amalekites and some of the best sheep and cattle which he says he will offer as a sacrifice to YHWH. YHWH tells Samuel he regrets that he made Saul king because Saul disobeyed Him.

In today’s reading, YHWH tells Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint a new king from among Jesse’s sons. Samuel realizes this would be treasonous, but YHWH tells him to pretend he is going there to offer a sacrifice for YHWH. The elders of the city meet Samuel and are concerned if he is coming in peace.

Samuel meets the seven oldest of Jesse’s sons, but none of them is approved by YHWH. Jesse calls for his youngest son, the shepherd boy David, and YHWH tells Samuel to anoint him king. Samuel does so, and the spirit of YHWH came mightily upon David (v.13). At this point, then, Israel had two anointed kings – Saul and David.

Ephesians 5:8-14

Ephesus was a large and prosperous city in what is now western Turkey. In the Acts of the Apostles and 1 Corinthians, Paul visited there. In Ephesus, there were Jesus Followers who were Jews and Jesus Followers who were Gentiles, and they didn’t always agree on what it means to be a Jesus Follower. This letter was written by one of Paul’s disciples and was intended to unify the Ephesus community.

Today’s reading is part of a longer ethical exhortation which relies on apocalyptic imagery for the hostile spiritual powers (darkness) and God and Christ (light).

The Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, covers the period from the slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh (around 1250 BCE, if the account is historical), the Exodus itself, and the early months in the Wilderness.

In Chapter 16, the people complained about not getting enough food, and YHWH told Moses that He would “rain bread from heaven.” This was “manna,” a Hebrew word that means “What is it?” Manna is real stuff and can be purchased even now in Arab markets in Jerusalem. It is the carbohydrate-rich excretions of insects that feed on the twigs of tamarisk trees.

In today’s reading, the Israelites quarreled with Moses and asked (rhetorically) if he brought them out of Egypt only so they could die of thirst. YHWH is portrayed anthropomorphically and tells Moses to strike a rock with his staff to get water.

Israel’s lack of trust in YHWH reappears in the Book of Deuteronomy (and other books by the Deuteronomists – Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings) as a reason the fortunes of Israel declined and the people were subjugated to the Assyrians and the Babylonians.

Romans 5:1-11

Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.

Paul uses some words that are difficult for us. He say we are “justified” in verse 1. This means living in “righteousness” or in a right relationship with God – being “justified” as a page of type is “justified” when the margins are square on both the left and the right.

Paul’s use of “faith” is better understood today as “faithfulness” because of its active aspect. For many modern persons, “Faith” is understood as intellectual assent to one or more propositions. “Faithfulness,” however, is an active living into one’s beliefs through grace and trust in God.

Paul was a Jew who became a Jesus Follower (the term “Christian” hadn’t been invented in Paul’s lifetime). All during his life, animal sacrifices were made at the Jerusalem Temple as a way Jews were reconciled to YHWH. Animal sacrifices continued until the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE – after Paul’s death. It is therefore not surprising that Paul uses “sacrifice” language to interpret the meaning of the Crucifixion: “Christ died for us” (v.8); we are “justified by his blood” (v. 9); and “through whom we have received reconciliation (v. 12).

The first 11 Chapters of Genesis are called the “primeval history” which ends with the Tower of Babel story — an “etiology” (story of origins) relating to the scattering of humankind and the multiplicity of languages. The last chapter of the primeval history also traces Abram’s lineage back to Noah’s son, Shem (which means “name” in Hebrew and from which we get the word “Semites”).

Today’s reading begins the “ancestral history” in which YHWH calls Abram (whose name is the same root word as “Abba” or father) to go to a land that YHWH will show him. There, Abram will be a father of a great nations and (as a descendent of Shem) his “name” will be great.

In Verse 3 is the phrase “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (which Paul interpreted as a blessing on the Gentiles through Abraham). This phrase is also translated as “by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves” – or in other words, people will say “may we be like Abraham.”

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – at least ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written. Its over-all purpose was to encourage respectful and supportive relationships between the Gentile Jesus Followers and the Jewish Jesus Followers in Rome.

In today’s reading, Paul emphasizes that Abraham’s righteousness (right relationship with God) was a result of Abraham’s faithfulness. In Paul’s epistles, the word “Faith” is almost always better understood a “Faithfulness.” For most modern persons, “Faith” is understood primarily as a cognitive assent to one or more propositions, but “faithfulness” is an active living into one’s beliefs through grace and trust in God. In the last verses of today’s reading, Paul continues his discussion of the law and its limitations and emphasizes that mere obedience to the law is not sufficient for the fullness of a right relationship with God.